Daily Digest: Hyundai, Healthcare & Housewives

We know information flies fast these days! As a service for the many of you who simply can't keep up, here's snippet summaries of business blog posts created by Orange County Register reporters and editors on Nov. 10.

Matt Degen (Nov 10, 2:08 pm): Remember back at the beginning of this year when Fountain Valley-based Hyundai Motor America launched its unprecedented “Assurance” program that allowed car buyers who lost their job to return their Hyundai? (MORE)

KELLI HART, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Nov 10, 2:00 pm): Curious to see who got lucky in the Ocean Institute’s 5th annual Laguna Beach million dollar home raffle? Over the weekend, raffle tickets were drawn at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, marking the end of the fundraiser (which kicked off in early July) and awarding 150 people. (MORE)

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer (Nov 10, 1:13 pm): Here are things available for free on Veterans Day, this year on Wednesday, Nov. 11th. If you’re a veteran or military, thanks! I am a military brat myself, my dad was a lifer in the Air Force. (MORE)

PAUL HODGINS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Nov 10, 12:30 pm): I’ve had my share of bad experiences with wine clubs over the years. I’m sure some of you know the scenario: you’re at the winery, you’ve had a few too many tastes, and the subject of joining their wine club comes up. (MORE)

Jeff Collins (Nov 10, 12:10 pm): Ever wonder how developer Irvine Co. makes it money? William Lyon Homes officials said last week that its Ivy development on Irvine Co. land in Irvine has been so successful that they’ve raised the price by $10,000 and discontinued all discounts except for a financing incentive. (MORE)

Erika Chavez, Staff Writer (Nov 10, 12:00 pm): Are you thinking about buying one of the 685 new homes being built in Irvine in 2010? Then get ready: Priority Registration begins at 10 a.m. on December 3rd, The Irvine Company has announced. (MORE)

Marilyn Kalfus, real estate reporter (Nov 10, 12:00 pm): The cheapest condo in Huntington Beach — at 843 square feet — sold last week for $119,000 — the same amount that the least expensive condo before that one sold for in August. The condos, both short sales, sold for $141 a square foot, Redfin shows. The 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo at 4 ... (MORE)

Jan Norman, small-business columnist (Nov 10, 12:00 pm): GE has created a $250 million equity investment fund, called Healthymagination, to put money into promising healthcare technology companies. The new fund could be a source for Orange County ventures in medical and technology, which is one of the strong venture-backed sectors locally. Healthymagina ... (MORE)

Matt Degen (Nov 10, 11:25 am): German automaker Volkswagen, which recently gained majority ownership of Porsche, is now the world’s biggest car maker, according to new data from IHS Global Insight. According to an article in U.K.’s the Guardian that cites IHS’ latest auto sales statistics, Volkswagen has overtaken ... (MORE)

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer (Nov 10, 11:22 am): Watergate legend and convicted co-conspirator John Dean will be speaking at a free Chapman University event tomorrow. (Nov. 11) This is your chance to see a man who made history! Dean was White House Counsel during the Watergate period and intimately involved in the cover-up. He spent four months ... (MORE)

Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress (Nov 10, 11:08 am): Update: As mentioned in my earlier story “TV shows, movies via Netflix coming to PlayStation 3,” Netflix said the service begins today! The online movie-rental service allows Netflix members to download movies straight to the game console and watch them on a big TV. Of course, ... (MORE)

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer (Nov 10, 10:32 am): I just got this alert from the Travelzoo, so I wanted to pass it along: LOS ANGELES–NOVEMBER 10, 2009– British Airways just dropped ticket prices for flights from Los Angeles to destinations worldwide into spring. Fares start at $218 each way. The sale features discounts on many routes, ... (MORE)

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer (Nov 10, 10:29 am): The South Coast Repertory is offering the chance to buy up to four tickets to the previews of South Coast Rep’s annual production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” for only $20, with no additional online fees. That’s right, with Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Crachit, thre ... (MORE)

Jon Lansner (Nov 10, 10:00 am): Who says short sales — or homes in Ladera Ranch — can’t sell? The Ladera family home of Tamra Barney, one of cable TV’s “Real Housewives of Orange County,” is in escrow. It had been listed as a “short sale” for $1.149 milli ... (MORE)

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer (Nov 10, 9:35 am): The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace is offering free admission tomorrow (Wed. Nov. 11) in honor of Veterans Day. Admission is free to all, not merely veterans and military. They have special events all day, including an award presentation and concerts. Here’s a link to the special events ... (MORE)

Mary Ann Milbourn (Nov 10, 8:03 am): The First American Corp., the Santa Ana-based title insurance and business information company, has been named to G.I. Jobs magazine's 2010 list of top 100 large firms that are military-friendly employers. First American ranked 95th on the list. The company was recognized for its salary and benefit ... (MORE)

Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer (Nov 10, 7:50 am): Want to commune with some monkeys? Today, Tuesday (Nov. 10) is Santa Ana Free Day! All Santa Ana residents get in to the Zoo for free today, just show proof of residency. (Up to 4 guests per resident) Wanna ride the Zoofari Express train? Train rides only $1! The zoo will be free for residents every ... (MORE)

Mathew Padilla (Nov 10, 7:27 am): I haven’t seen much written lately about the state of mortgage insurance companies, the firms that provide lenders protection against loss when borrowers put down less than 20% to buy a home. So I noted with interest a news brief on National Mortgage News that reported on Freddie Mac saying in ... (MORE)

Nancy Luna, Staff Writer (Nov 10, 6:18 am): Fine dining will continue to be hit hard, survey says Though Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record 52-week high on Monday, restaurants are not feeling the love. In fact, the latest industry survey shows that consumer spending — as it relates to dining out — is get ... (MORE)

KELLI HART, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Nov 10, 4:00 am): A home in Laguna Beach’s gated Smithcliffs community has been sitting on the market for 479 days without movement. Now, the listing has seen a $1 million price reduction - to $8,995,000 from $9,995,000 (and a $3 million reduction since it was first listed at $11,995,000). The listing informat ... (MORE)

Marilyn Kalfus, real estate reporter (Nov 10, 3:00 am): The Huntington Harbour home that the federal government snagged as part of a mortgage fraud ring bust has sold for $2,875,00. As you may recall, the Admiralty Island house was repo’d at $3.6 million ... (MORE)

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